Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. CHAPTER 1 Introduction

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Snout beetles or weevils of the family Curculionidae (Coleoptera) surely must be considered among the most successful of insects for the family includes over 65,000 species, making it perhaps the largest family of animals. Nearly all are phytophagous. The adults use the tiny mandibles at the tip of the snout to bite holes into seeds, fruits, and other parts of plants. Their eggs are often inserted in the holes. Shown here is the acorn weevil, Curculio uniformis.

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Figure 1.1 Relative numbers of species of arthropods, other animals, and plants.

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Figure 1.2 The world’s smallest and largest insects.

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Figure 1.3 Examples of insects with different food habits.

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Figure 1.4 Elements of insect anatomy. a, External anatomy of the grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Acrididae, Orthoptera). b, Internal organs of the honey bee, Apis mellifera (Apidae, Hymenoptera).

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Figure 1.5 Representatives of major kinds of insects.

Introduction to Insect Biology and Diversity, 3/e James B. Whitfield / Alexander H. Purcell III Copyright © 2012 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Figure 1.6 Representatives of major kinds of insects. Hymenopteroidea: a worker (sterile female) yellow jacket wasp, Vespula sp. (Vespidae), hangs upside down as she adds plant fibers to the wall of her nest.